Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Bridgeport Hospital Delivery




We made our delivery to Bridgeport Hospital today. First we dropped by The Allison Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to bring the Angel Gowns made from my wedding gown and the hearts that were painted at April's Paint with a Purpose for the families who have babies in the NICU. We also dropped off some of this month's hearts for the nurses and CNA's who work on this floor with these tiny little treasures. We took of tour of this newly renovated unit. It is absolutely amazing how different it is from the days when I volunteered here during my high school career.  After we left this floor, we went upstairs to the Smilow Cancer Center. It has been a little over a year since I was last here, when mom lost her battle to cancer, but I wanted/needed to return and personally thank the nurses and staff that helped my mom on her final journey. Three of the four nurses who took care of her were there, and it was very healing for me to be able to thank them for all that they did for her and for me. Many hugs were given and tears were shed, but hearts were full and the healing for me continues...






Paige

George

Jill






Thursday, May 10, 2018

National Nurse's Appreciation Week

This month, we painted to honor and thank Nurses! Our monthly paint with a purpose event fell right in the middle of National Nurse Appreciation Week, so we felt it was the perfect time to have an event to thank those unsung heroes. In my family, it seemed that you either became a teacher or a nurse... my mom was a nurse, her sister was a nurse, my cousin was a nurse, I even have a great great aunt who was a nurse, not to mention the family members who have married nurses. So I have a great respect for nurses and what they do, the sacrifices they make, the patience they have to have for patients who have no patience, and the demands put upon them on an hourly basis.  I think one of our volunteer painters summed it up best ...

no matter what is asked of them, they somehow find a way to get it done for the betterment of the patient.

May 8, 2018
click on a  photo to be taken to a larger view




 It takes teamwork to get the event all set up and ready for a 6 pm opening.
 Now we are all ready for our volunteer painters!

We love seeing familiar faces!

 We love seeing new faces at our events!


 Brian brought a whole table of friends from his work!



To paint an original or to use a coloring book heart is actually a difficult decision with the amazing variety of coloring book hearts we have!



 What really struck me at tonight's event was what a family-like atmosphere we have here. We do have families come, but we have complete strangers come and sit together, and by the end of the night, they are talking and laughing like they have known each other for years.  I also looked around and loved seeing people of all ages, all backgrounds, and seeing so many men in the crowd. This is an organization for everyone, regardless of your age, your painting ability, your gender... all are welcome and feel welcome here... I love that!






 Thank you, Brian, for being such a supporter of Hearts of Hope and for bringing so many of your coworkers! I hope they all had a good time!









 I love when Linda brings her grandsons. They make the most lovely hearts. Tonight they made hearts for their mom, who is a nurse, and were so excited to be able to take them home to give to her. They also made one for their school nurse. 






 Thank you, Laura, for purchasing this entire bucket of paints for us! You not only support us by coming to our monthly events and bringing family and friends with you, but now you purchase all of this for us! We are so blessed to have you in our Hearts of Hope family!












 We awarded our first Hearts of Hope scholarship at our event. Our scholarship winner is Alisa Delaney. Alisa is a senior at Bunnell High School. She has been volunteering with Hearts of Hope since our first event in October of 2016. She is a valuable member of our team and we will miss her very much, but know that she has great things ahead of her in her future! She is heading off to college in the fall in North Carolina. Congratulations, Alisa!







 Mayor Hoydick came to congratulate our scholarship winner.








 Everyone takes time to admire the hearts and take pictures of their own and a few of their favorites.